For many, bringing their sheets to an expert laundry service is a lot easier than washing their overly huge and heavy sheets at home. However, this isn’t an option for some, and this is where the importance of knowing how to wash bed sheets at home comes in.
Although bringing your sheets to dry cleaning services in Singapore may be easier, opting to wash your sheets by hand is also an option, but the process would definitely take longer. Nevertheless, you can still end up with the same clean and fresh bed sheets when done right.
Here are some simple tips to help you wash bed sheets without a washing machine.
6 Steps To Wash Bed Sheets Without A Washing Machine
Step 1: Separate Your Bed Sheets By Color
Only consider this step if you are washing multiple bed sheets at a time (and if they are in varying colors). Just like when doing laundry, the dark-colored sheets should be segregated from the white ones, so they do not stain the light-colored sheets.
Step 2: Prepare Your Laundry Basin
The next step in washing bed sheets by hand is to prepare the laundry basin. Before you fill it with water, ensure it is clean and free from any residue like dirt or oil to prevent unwanted stains on your sheets.
Also, do not forget to check the label on the bed sheets to figure out the necessary water temperature needed in order to clean it thoroughly. If there is no specific instruction on the label, fill your laundry basin with cold water.
Step 3: Add The Laundry Detergent
When washing your sheets by hand, no specific type of detergent is needed, and the kind of detergent you typically use on the washing machine would do. About 1 to 2 scoops of laundry detergent would do, depending on the number of bed sheets you will be washing.
After putting powdered detergent into the water, make sure to stir it thoroughly to make sure that there are no clumps. Do remember not to use too much detergent as it would make it hard for you to rinse the sheets later on.
Step 4: Soak The Sheets In The Laundry Basin
The next step is to soak the sheets in the laundry basin for approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour. You can also imitate a washing machine’s movement and stir it by hand every 15 minutes. If your bed sheet is pretty much dirty from all the sweat in your body and dust in your room, you can soak them overnight.
Step 5: Rinse With Cold Water
After soaking your bed sheet long enough, remove it from the soapy water and rinse it with cold water until no detergent residue is left behind. It is best to rinse the sheets one at a time to ensure they will be thoroughly cleaned.
Step 6: Hang Your Bed Sheets To Dry
The last step is to hang your bed sheets under the sun to dry. However, do note that you should only put your sheets under the sun if they are white or have bold colors. Otherwise, they may fade.
Of course, opting for laundry service (or any dry cleaning services in Singapore, for instance) would be better as the process of washing and drying your bed sheets would be faster. However, if you are left with no choice and you have to do it yourself, then you can follow these simple rules to ensure the entire process is hassle-free.
Things To Remember When Handwashing Your Bed Sheets
Make sure that the white sheets are segregated from the colored ones
If needed, apply pre-treatment to stains
Wash your sheets in cold water and only opt for hot water if in case the owner of the bed sheet is sick or ill
Use sufficient amounts of laundry detergent – avoid using too much or too little
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I wash my bed sheets?
It depends. However, washing your bed sheet every 1 to 2 weeks is recommended. If you have allergies to dust mites or if you are sweating often, then it is best to wash your sheets every week. If needed, you can also alternate 2 different sheets to increase their useful life.
Should sheets be washed separately?
Yes, bed sheets should be washed separately. Remember that these sheets need a lot of room given their size, so do not jam too many sheets in each load as much as possible. Around 2 to 3 sheets per load are sufficient.
How do you dry bed sheets?
Aside from hanging it outside to dry in the sun, you can tumble-dry your bed sheet on a low-heat setting to prevent unnecessary wear. Always be mindful of the temperature because if your dryer is too hot, it may damage the elasticity of your sheets.
Can you wash bed sheets with clothes?
You can, but you shouldn’t. Remember that your bed sheet is much bigger than your clothes, and mixing them with your shirts, jeans, and undies may prevent them from being washed and dried correctly. Aside from that, your sheets are dirtier than your clothes since you only wash them once in a while, and mixing them together is not ideal at all.
Final Note
Washing your bed sheets regularly is essential if you want to avoid catching any allergies and if you simply want to lay down in fresh sheets every night. Handwashing your bed sheets may be a bit inconvenient, but you can get the best out of it when done correctly.
With this guide, we hope we have shed light and helped you answer the question, “how to wash bed sheets by hand?”. If you are in a hurry or if you just don’t have the time, you can always opt for an expert laundry service like Clean Care.
